Why Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Will Be Celebrated Across Two Days in India

August 16, 2025 MTIMES 17 Views Dahi Handi, Hindu Festival, India, Indian Festivals, Janmashtami 2025, Krishna Janmashtami, Lord Krishna birth 3 min read

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated by devotees across India with great devotion and enthusiasm, commemorating the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Hindu calendar, this auspicious festival falls on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Every year, people observe fasts, offer prayers, and participate in grand Dahi Handi events. As per Drik Panchang, 2025 marks the 5252nd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna and will be celebrated over two days – August 15 and 16.

The Ashtami Tithi begins at 11:49 PM on August 15 and ends at 9:34 PM on August 16, which is why the celebration is spread over two days. Devotees across different regions follow various traditions and choose the celebration time based on the exact tithi or the appearance of the Rohini Nakshatra, under which Lord Krishna was born.

Janmashtami 2025 date and celebration: Why Two-Day Celebrations Are Observed

In 2025, Janmashtami observances begin at nightfall on August 15 when the Ashtami Tithi starts. Some devout followers begin rituals immediately, even if the tithi begins just minutes before midnight. Others wait for the Rohini Nakshatra to align with the Ashtami Tithi, which results in many observing the festival on August 16. Because both celestial alignments hold significant religious value, the celebrations are extended over two days, allowing devotees to follow their preferred ritual timings.

Rituals and Celebrations

Devotees perform a variety of rituals on Janmashtami to honor Lord Krishna:

Observing fasts, including Nirjala (no water) and phalahar (fruit-only) fasts
Decorating homes with flowers, lights, and images of Lord Krishna
Performing special pujas and aartis in temples
Offering prasad to the deity after the puja
Singing devotional songs, bhajans, and kirtans
Participating in Dahi Handi events, particularly in Maharashtra, where human pyramids are formed to break curd-filled pots, symbolizing Lord Krishna’s playful childhood.

This sacred festival brings devotees together in celebration and devotion, with rituals performed according to personal belief and tradition.

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